The mission: “Operation Paint It Back.” The objective: Raise at least $50,000 by May 28. The purpose: repaint a giant mural of the U.S. Flag at the new Congressman Silvestre and Carolina Reyes Elementary School.

The Canutillo Independent School District (CISD), together with local veterans launched a worldwide crowd funding campaign today to raise the funds needed to repaint the large wall located at 7440 Northern Pass Drive El Paso, TX 79932, in red, white and blue by the time this LEED Silver school opens for the first class of Redhawks students on August 25, 2015.

“We have been victorious in seeking the approval of painting the flag mural and now we need the help of Patriots within the community to finish the job,” said Jarred Taylor, a retired Air Force Staff Sergeant who served in Afghanistan and owner of Article 15 Clothing. “I couldn’t be any more proud to be part of such an awesome campaign.”

Late last year, CISD painted a flag mural that covered 10 percent of the wall’s canvas. However, the developer of Cimarron - the master planned community that surrounds Reyes Elementary, rejected the design by stating the red, white and blue did not match the surrounding neighborhood and issued the order to cover up the flag mural with the orange color in January. Fortunately, the developer reversed its decision last month, paving the way for CISD to repaint the flag mural. The flag wall canvas features 50 stars and waves permanently imprinted into the concrete panels on a canvas that measures 313.5 feet wide by 26 feet tall for a total surface area of 8,151 square feet.

Since the Canutillo ISD taxpayers did not appropriate the necessary funds to perform this project when they voted for the bond back in 2011, CISD needs to raise at least $50,000 to cover the painting contract and overhead expenses. As a special incentive, the Canutillo school district will engrave the names of those who donate at least $250 on a special plaque of recognition, install it next to the flag wall and unveil it to the public during the big grand ceremony on August 13. One hundred percent of Operation Paint It Back proceeds will be used toward the painting contract, and all additional funds will be placed in a special Reyes Elementary account to maintain the mural in the future.

Donations can be submitted online to: http://www.gofundme.com/PaintItBackwhile checks made payable to CISD and marked “Reyes Flag Mural” can be sent to CISD at P.O. Box 100, Canutillo, TX 79835.